Notes of Meeting: South West Headteacher Board · Notes of Meeting: South West Headteacher Board ....

Notes of Meeting: South West Headteacher Board 10 June 2019

Attendance* Meeting attendees including the Chair, Headteacher Board members, guests, and apologies from board members who were unable to attend. RSC, Chair Lisa Mannall Guests None.

Headteacher Board (HTB) Members

Paul Jones (HTB)

Joy Tubbs (HTB)

Suzanne Flack (HTB)

Alun Williams (HTB)

Brian Hooper (HTB)

Steve Savory (HTB)

Apologies**

Sally Apps (HTB)

Michael Larsen (HTB)

Hannah Woodhouse (Deputy Director)

RSC, Chair Lisa Mannall Guests None.

DfE Senior Civil Servants Lucy Gordon (Deputy Director)

EFSA representative *Attendance data is published annually on gov.uk

**Members of the board who apologised have been consulted on all projects, where available, prior to the meeting (excluding items where there were conflicts). Their views are reflected in the discussion at the meeting (where appropriate).

General Discussion Points Points discussed in the meeting. Item Discussion Point

Steiner Update HTB members received an update following the Ministerial decision to appoint Avanti Schools Trust (AST) as the sponsor in principle of Steiner Academy Exeter, Steiner Academy Bristol, and Steiner Academy Frome. AST will now undertake a due diligence exercise with a view to concluding in time to allow the schools to transfer on September 1. It was noted that this timeframe is a challenging and may not be achievable. AST has been asked as part of their due diligence to undertake a review as to whether the school structures are sustainable in their current form. The Trust will be undertaking a “listening period” to discuss their proposals for the schools with parents and staff. AST will review which parts of the schools’ original ethos can be retained under the Avanti model.

Item Discussion Point

AST will work with strong local providers to develop effective support partnerships for each school and HTB members agreed that the introduction of a strong new trust into the region was a positive development.

Discussion of projects, including decisions made by RSC with advice from HTB: All decisions are made in reference to relevant legislation and the published criteria.

Converter Academy Orders Points discussed in relation to school conversion. Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Swainswick Church of England Primary School, BANES to join the Bath and Wells Multi-Academy Trust

• That the school had hoped to join the Trust last year but had delayed their plans to ensure construction work was completed by the Local Authority.

• HTB members felt that the conversion made sense for this small school and it would benefit from BWMAT’s support especially as LA capacity was much reduced.

• There was discussion about the Trust finances and its reducing surplus and the work that they were doing to improve the position including through closer oversight of recruitment especially in the Bath hub.

• Discussions have been taking place with the Trust on the allocation of capital funding within the accounts, clarification on this was being sought before the school converts; the ESFA expressed confidence that these issues were close to a satisfactory resolution.

• A correction was made on leadership at Trust school in Taunton hub.

Approve with condition that the Trust’s outstanding grant issues are clarified prior to the school’s conversion.

Paul Jones was not present for this item and did not receive the papers.

Further Actions Required Project lead to inform the trust, HTB lead to send Academy Order.

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Swanmead Community School, Somerset to join Bridgwater College Trust

• Prior to discussions, HTB members considered representations received in relation to this project.

• HTB members were updated on progress with the LA’s strategic review of schools in the Ilminster and Crewkerne area.

• While HTB members felt that the two applications (Swanmead and Maiden Beech) had some merits they concluded that on balance they could not approve them at this time.

• Most significantly they felt that the governance structures at the Trust are not currently sufficiently robust. This was illustrated by the degree of overlap between MAT Trustees and employees of Bridgwater and Taunton College. It was noted that the Trust acknowledges that the current overlap between the Board and LGBs is not sustainable.

• They were also concerned by pace of improvement at KS2 across the Trust.

• It was agreed that the Trust should meet with the Department in September about their work to respond to the concerns raised about educational outcomes and governance.

Decline None.

Further Actions Required Project lead to inform the trust of outcome and arrange a meeting with the Trust in September.


Broadhempton Village Primary School, Devon to join The Link Academy Trust

• That they were supportive of this “Outstanding” school’s decision to join the Link Academy Trust considering their experience of supporting small schools.

Approve None.

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Further Actions Required Project lead to inform the trust, HTB lead to send Academy Order.

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Otterton Church of England Primary, Devon to join The Link Academy Trust

• That they were supportive of this “Good” school’s decision to join the Link Academy Trust considering their experience of supporting small schools.

[Subsequent to the HTB meeting the Diocese formally granted approval for the school to convert on 12 June]

Approve None.



Drake’s Church of England Primary School, Devon to join The Link Academy Trust

• That they were supportive of this “Good” school’s decision to join the Link Academy Trust considering their experience for supporting small schools.

[Subsequent to the HTB meeting the Diocese formally granted approval for the school to convert on 12 June]

Approve None.



Belmont School, Gloucestershire to join The SAND Academy

• That while SAND only formed as a MAT in June 2019 and faced a significant challenge in improving performance at Paternoster School, they were nevertheless happy to approve the project which would add capacity to the Trust.

Approve None.

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Trust • The HTB felt that the Trust had the potential to become a key

part of ensuring that pupils with special needs were able to access high quality support in Gloucestershire.

• Clarification was provided that in time the MAT, currently made up of Special schools, would be interested in expanding to include mainstream schools within the Trust.



Battledown Centre for Children and Families, Gloucestershire to join The SAND Academy Trust

• That while SAND only formed as a MAT in June 2019 and faced a significant challenge in improving performance at Paternoster School, they were nevertheless happy to approve the project which would add capacity to the Trust.

• The HTB felt that the Trust had the potential to become a key part of ensuring that pupils with special needs were able to access high quality support in Gloucestershire.

• Clarification was provided that in time the Trust, currently made up of Special schools, would be interested in expanding to include mainstream schools within the MAT.

Approve None.


Academy Opening Approved in Principle List of academies approved to open. Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Bovington Primary School, Dorset

• Proposed school opening date: 1 July 2019 • No issues were raised.

No concerns raised None

Further Actions Required

None


Castle Primary School, BANES




None


Chilton Trinity, Somerset




None



Hartpury CofE Primary School, Gloucs




None

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts May Park Primary School, Bristol




None


Okeford Fitzpaine CofE VA School, Dorset




None



Red Oaks Primary School, Swindon




None

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Shillingstone CofE VA Primary School, Dorset




None


Winsham Primary School, Somerset




None



Broadoak Mathematics and Computing College, North Somerset

• Proposed academy transfer date: 1 July 2019 • No issues were raised.



None

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College, North Somerset




None


Henbury School, • Proposed academy transfer date: 1 July 2019 No concerns raised None

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Bristol • No issues were raised. Further Actions Required

None


Redmarley CofE Primary School, Gloucs




None

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Staunton and Corse CofE Primary School, Gloucs




None


Axe Valley Academy, Devon



Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Further Actions Required

None


The Axe Valley Community College, Devon

• Proposed academy transfer date: 1 July 2019

No issues were raised. No concerns raised None


None

Significant Change Points discussed in relation to approving significant changes to academies. Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Nailsea School, North Somerset to make a significant change and add a SEN unit

• HTB members were supportive of the application, encouraged by the Local Authority, which built upon existing SEN provision that the school operated in-house.

• Members felt it was imperative that the school communicates that it remains a mainstream school that supports all pupils and is undertaking this work on behalf of their community in supporting these often-vulnerable pupils.

Approve None.

Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Further Actions Required

Project lead to inform the Trust of the decision.

Trust Change Points discussed in relation to academies moving to a new trust. Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts

Maiden Beech Academy, Somerset to join Bridgewater College Trust

• Prior to discussions, HTB members considered representations received in relation to this project.

• HTB members were updated on progress with the LA’s strategic review of schools in the Ilminster and Crewkerne area.

• Suzanne Flack made clear that while she didn’t have a conflict of interest she wished it to be noted that she has worked with the school previously.

• While HTB members felt that the two applications (Swanmead and Maiden Beech) had some merits they concluded that on balance they could not approve them at this time.

• HTB noted governance structures at the Trust are not currently sufficiently robust. This was illustrated by the degree of overlap between MAT Trustees and employees of Bridgwater and Taunton College. It was noted that the Trust acknowledges that the current overlap between the Board and LGBs is not sustainable.

• They were also concerned by pace of school improvement across the Trust.

• It was agreed that the Trust should meet with the Department in September about their work to respond to the concerns raised about educational outcomes and governance.

• It was felt that while there would be benefits for the school as a result of their joining BCT, especially considering its financial situation, these positive were outweighed by the concerns that HTB members had.

Decline None.



Project lead to inform the trust of outcome and arrange a meeting with the Trust in September.


St Osmund’s Church of England Middle School, Dorset to join Thomas Hardye Multi-Academy Trust

• That the school, a feeder for Thomas Hardye, was a natural fit for the Trust especially in an area with few alternative options.

• The Board felt the Trust were in a good position to be able to improve outcomes at the school which had been rated “Inadequate” last year.

• The Trust are actively working with another Trust sharing similar attributes to learn from best practice in structures and governance.

Approve Joy Tubbs was not present for this item and did not receive the papers.


Project lead to inform the schools of the decision.

Decisions taken by another RSC

List of decisions taken by another RSC, in the absence of the region’s RSC. Project HTB discussed: RSC Decision Conflicts Looe Primary Academy, Bridge MAT, Cornwall – Extend age range

• HTB agreed with the proposal as it allows there to be a nursery provision following the closure of the current private business.

• HTB requested a financial forecast incorporating the new nursery provision.

• HTB were reassured that the trust had other nursery provisions, with which to share resource and best practice.

• HTB felt the trust should now continue to focus on school improvement across their current footprint.

Approve Decision approved by Dominic Herrington on 18 June 2019.

Lisa Mannall, RSC did not receive the papers and was not present for this item.


Project lead to inform the school and Trust of the decision.

Decisions taken between HTB meetings List of decisions taken by the RSC between HTB meetings. Project Decision type RSC Decision Conflicts

Winsham Primary School, The Redstart Learning Partnership, Somerset

• Sponsor funding: upgraded from fast track to full sponsored. Approved 5 June 2019 by the RSC

None


None

Project Decision type RSC Decision Conflicts

Rowde Church of England Primary Academy, Wiltshire

• Termination warning notice issued. Approved 6 June 2019 by the RSC

None



None


St Leonard's Church of England Primary Academy, Blunsdon, Swindon

• Termination warning notice issued. Approved 6 June 2019 by the RSC

None


None


Minehead First School,

West Somerset Academies

• Minded to terminate warning notice issued. Approved 13 June 2019 by the RSC

None


Trust, Somerset


None


St James’ Church of England First School, Heath Academy Trust, Dorset

• Fast track significant change application for St James’ Church of England First school to extend its age range from 4-9 year to 2-9 years

Approved on 9 July 2019 None


None

Notes of Meeting: South West Headteacher Board · Notes of Meeting: South West Headteacher Board ....

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